Lining system for tunnels and like passages

ABSTRACT

A plurality of arcuate lining units are adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of a passage and are each composed of two or more arcuate segments having an outwardly open profiled cross section and provided with a pair of flanges extending substantially parallel in longitudinal direction of the passage. One of the flanges has one face which is directed outwardly of the passage and provided with a recess extending longitudinally thereof and the other flange has another face directed inwardly of the passage and provided with a bead which also extends in longitudinal direction of the passage, with the bead of one segment being received in the recess of a circumferentially adjacent segment so that the flanges of the two segments overlap one another. These flanges are connected and sealing means may be provided at the joints between the flanges.

United States Patent [191 Gantke et al. [45] J 3, 1974 [54] LINING SYSTEM FOR TUNNELS AND LIKE 7 1,078,069 3/ 1960 Germany 61/45 R PASSAGES 1,147,551 4/1963 Germany 451,991 5/1968 Switzerland 6l/45 R [75] Inventors: Franz Gantke; Walter Zywietz, both of Dortmund; Rudolf Seiz, Herrsching; Heinz Eickhoff, Bochum, all of Germany [73] Assignees: Hoesch AG, Dortmund; Eisenhutte Heintzmaiin & C0., Bochum, Germany 221 Filed: Feb. 24, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 228,855

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 27, 1971 Germany P 21 09 354.9

52 U.S. c1 6l/45 R [51 Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search 61/45 R, 42, 84, 61/85, 63

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,042,327 5/1936 Whitescarver 61/45 R 2,001,315 5/1935 Proctor et al.... 61/45 R X 3,438,21 l 4/1969 Zywietz et al 61/45 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Netherlands 61/45 R Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor AttorneyMichael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT .-parallel in longitudinal direction of the passage. One

of the flanges has one face which is directed outwardly of the passage and provided with a recess extending longitudinally thereof and the other flange has another face directed inwardly of the passageand provided with a bead which also'extends in longitudinal direc- -'tion of the passage, with the bead of one segment a being received in the recess of a circumferentially adjacent segment so that the flanges of the two segments overlap one another. These flanges are connected and sealing means may be provided at the joints between the flanges.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a lining system for tunnels and like passages, and more particularly to a lining system for watertight lining of underground passages such as tunnels, shafts and the like.

It is of course already known to provide lining systems for tunnels and similar passages. The main problem to be mastered with such lining systems resides in the necessity to so construct the individual arcuate lining units of which such a system is composed, in such a manner that they can be produced simply and inexpensively, that the distribution of their mass is carried out optimally from a static point of view, and that they can be connected in such a manner as to provide a sealing joint with one another even if the passage which they are to line is curved or otherwise deviates everywhere or at least in portions from a straight line.

Conventionally, these lining units are composed of a plurality of arcuate segments which are identical in configuration and which are rolled or formed of sheet steel in a profiled configuration. The prior art proposes, in its various suggestions, to construct the two flanges on each of the segments differently from' one another, hooking one flange of one segment to a flange of an adjacent segment, and providing sealing means between the flanges. The segments which follow oneanother in longitudinal direction of the passage, that is, the segments of axially arrayed lining units, are to be coupled, at least in the region of junction of circumferentially adjacent segments, by means of fishplates or the like, and the connection is to be such that sufficient play is permitted the individual segments so that the possiblity of angularly inclining consecutive ones of the lining units with reference to one another in curved portions of the passage remains, but without danger of the entry of water from the exterior.

Another proposal suggests that wherever consecutive ones of the lining units are so inclined with reference to one another that a wedge-shaped gap exists due to a curvature of the passage which they line, they are not to be directly connected with one another but instead a frame or insert or wedgeshaped cross-section is to be inserted into the gap, with suitable sealing means being interposed. An alternative to this proposal is to construct the insert of U-shaped channel-like configuration and to have the arms of the U overlap and be connected to flanges of consecutive ones of the lining units, thus bridging a gap between them.

These prior art propsals have merit to a certain extent. It has been found, however that they also have certain disadvantages. Some of these proposals require a distribution of the mass or material of the lining units over the cross-section or configuration of the respective segment in such a manner that it is eitherstatically and/or'from a manufacturing point of view impractical to carry out these proposals. Otherproposals of the prior art make it impossible to provide for sufficient freedom of relative movement of consecutive ones of the lining units with reference to one another to be able to accommodate the system to all possible curvatures which might occur in the passage being lined, particularly where the radius of curvature is relatively small. A further disadvantage in many instances has been the necessity for connecting the various components with one another by means of lugs or fishplates, and in certain circumstances, it has been found that this is unnecessary in any case because there is in almost all cases concrete being cast between the outside of the lining system and the surrounding earth or rock. i

SUMMARY OF TI-IEINVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of the present in- I improved lining system which has a better configuration of its individual components from a static point of view and from a point of view of manufacturing, particularly as regards rolling deformation of steel to the configuration of the units.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide such a lining system which may be used in passages which are curved in their entirety or partially, and where even significant gaps between consecutive arcuate lining units canbe properly bridged, while maintaining the lining system tight against theentry of water.

In pursuance of these objects, and of others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a lining system'for tunnels and like passages which, briefly stated, comprises a plurality of arcuate lining units adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of the passage, each of these units being composed of at least two arcuate segments of profiled outwardly opened cross-section and having a pair of flanges which extend substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction. One of these flanges has a face directed outwardly of the passage and provided with a recess extending in longitudinal direction of the latter and the other flange has another face directed inwardly of the passage and provided with a bead which also extends longitudinally of the passage, with the bead of onesegment being received in the recessof a circumferentially adjacent'segment. Connecting means connect circumferentially and longitudinally adjacent ones of the segments together. I I Y Advantageously, the cross-sectional configuration of the profile of the segments is substantially hat-shaped and their center of mass will be located towards the flanges rather than towards the transverse wall connecting the flanges. In this manner, the segments are so configurated that they can be readily produced either by rolling of sheet steel or by appropriate stamping or forming thereof, and the distribution of the mass across the cross-section is such that it is advantageous from a static point of view.

Furthermore, the configuration of the flanges is also such that sufficient overlap exists and that they are guided with reference to one another, but yet permits sufficient play to enable accommodation of the segments to given circumstances.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however,

' both as to its construction and its method of operation,

together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an axial view into a passage provided with a lining system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating end portions of the segments of the lining system; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale through the junction between two lining units which are arrayed longitudinally of the passage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing the drawing in detail and firstly the embodiment in FIG. 1, it will be seen that this illustrates the utilization of a lining system according to the present invention in an underground tunnel, for instance, a tunnel for mining purposes, for a subway or the like. Of course, this is only exemplary.

In the embodiment illustrated and particularly shown in FIG. 1, the lining system is composed of a plurality of arcuate lining units 1 which are arrayed longitudinally of the passage and which are each composed of four circumferentially adjacent profiled segments 3 which are connected with one another at their longitudinal joints 2. The floor of the passage is provided by a concrete casting 4 which is cast into the lower portion of the lining system. Reference numeral 5 designates the rock or soil matrix surrounding the lining system and reference numeral 6 identifies concrete which is cast into the space between the lining system and the rock or soil 5.

ing o t .ths=.r a. nit ag @QQPQFQGP- larly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the cross-section of the segments 3 is approximately hat-shaped, with the center of mass being shifted from the transverse wall 9 to the flanges 7 and 8 which the wall 9 connects. It will be seen that the mass cross section, and is, the cross section of the'material, of the flanges 7 and 8 is the same but is greater than that of the transverse wall 9.

At the juncture between the flanges and the side wall portions the profile is also thickened by being reinforced, and this arrangement has static advantages as well as the advantage that the concrete 10 which fills the outwardly open hollow recess of the segment 3 that is, outwardly towards the matrix material 5 will adhere better without requiring special anchoring instrumentalities. The juncture between the side walls and the transverse wall 9 is'also reinforced by provision of a flatter internal radius than elswhere so that it is possible to bend the profiles with smaller radii without causing kinks or other deformations in the wall 9.

The flanges 7 and 8 of each segment 3 are constructed differently. In particular the flange 7 has an end portion 7a which extends approximately over half the length of the flange as seen in longitudinal direction thereof, and the flange 8 is similarly provided with a recess 8a which also extends over approximately half its length. The depth of the recess corresponds approximately to the thickness of the portion or bead 7a, and segments 3 which are consecutive in the direction of elongation of the passage, identified with reference character xin FIG. 2, overlap with their flanges 7 and 8, that is the bead 7a of one flange is received in the recess 8a, of the flange of an adjacent segment, so that they overlap one another to a significant extent.

FIG. 5 illustrates that segments 3 which are adjacent one another in the direction x can bridge even wedgeshaped gaps which result from the fact that the passage is not entirely straight but may be curved. Such gaps, identified in FIG. 5 with reference numeral 1], cambe sealed at least temporarily with strand-like sealing means of elastically yieldable synthetic plastic material or the like, which will readily accommodate themselves to different widths of the gaps 11.

The danger might exist that the material of the strand-like sealing material might be squeezed out of the respective gap 11, and to avoid this the juxtaposed surfaces of the bead 7a on the one hand, and the shoul der of the recess 8a cooperating with it on the other hand, are so configurated that they define with one another a hollow gap which diverges inwardly of the passage axis, so that a substantially closed wedge-shaped space is obtained in which the sealing strand 12 is retained or squeezed inwardly of the space as illustrated in FIG. 5.

When, during the installation of the lining system according to the present invention, the adjacent segments 3 have assumed their final position with reference to one another after the cast concrete 6 has hardened, the overlapping end portions having the bead 7a and the recess 8a of the flanges 7 and 8, are additionally and finally connected with one another by means of a weld which, at the same time provides a fluid-tight seal. The welding seam forming the weld 13 is located at the side which faces inwardly of the passage, between the edge of the recess 8a and the inner surface of the bead 7a of the adjacent flange 7 with the bead 7a overlapping the cooperating flange 8 and is received in the recess 8a thereof at a side which is the outer side with respect to the surrounding matrix material 5.

Of course, this welding together could be carried out before the concrete is finally hardened, but it is advantageous to wait until the hardening has taken place to prevent later shifting of the segments relative to one another. Of course, when such final welding is carried out, the sealing strands l2 serve only a temporary sealing purpose until the welding is carried through but it is conceivable that welding might not be carried out in which case the sealing strands 12 would be relied upon to perform a permanent sealing function.

In FIG. 5 it is shown that two adjacent segments 3 are connected by welding along the welding seam 13 in the region of the gap 11, forming of them a single installation unit so that they define with one another an angle alfa before they are even installed. This, of course, facilitates handling and installation, and means that the precise orientation of the segments 3 relative to one another and their connection by weldingat the desired angle, can be carried out before they are installed and need not be carried out in situ.

It is advantageous to protect the material of the segments 3 by first providing the recess at their exterior that is, the recess caused by their profiling with a corrosion-protective lining, for instance, a coating of a suitable lacquer or other material well known to those skilled in the art, and only thereafter to cast the concrete 10 into them to fill them as illustrated.

FIG. 4 shows particularly clearly that the segments 3 which are adjacent in circumferential direction are provided at their ends with welded-on portions of profiled material, for instance steel, by means of which they are supported by abutment in the region of their longitudinal junctures 2, and a non-illustrated sealing member may be interposed between these portions 14 which can subsequently be welded with one another. The portions 14 in the illustrated embodiment are of fourcornered cross section with the length of each side corresponding to approximately half the depth of the profile of the segments 3 so that they overlie at least the flange sided half of the profiled depth. The other half closer to the wall 9 of the respective segment 3 is covered at the circumferential ends of the segments 3 by a welded on steel plate 15.

The'portions 14 which follow one another in the direction x are tapered at 16 and 16a approximately in correspondence with the different configuration of the flanges, and are also welded to one another.

The drawing also shows, especially in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, that each of the segments 3 are provided on the inner side facing the interior of the passage with three pressure members 17 which are arranged in parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the passage, with members 17 which follow one another in the direction x being abutted at their ends in order to provide for direct stress transmission. They are so arranged, as particularly shown in FIG. 1, that they are spaced equiangularly about the respective lining units 1.

The members 17 are provided in particular in order to afford the resistance to pressure orginating from a non-illustrated tunneling machine which tunnels into the matrix material 5 and exerts pressures on the order of approximately 300 tons. The purpose of the member 17 is to provide for support against which the tunneling machine can press and to transmit the stresses orginating from the machine to a sufficiently large number of successive units 1 during such time as the cast concrete 6 has not yet sufficiently hardenened to withstand such forces. In order to provide for such force transmission, the respectively leading in the direction of which the tunnel is to be driven into the matrix material 5 units 1 are provided at their members 17 with a releasable pressure shoe 18. The members 17 can be very simply welded to the walls 9 of the segments 3. However, it is possible in order to provide for a simpler removal to connect them with the segments 3 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that they are releasable but nevertheless fast with the segments 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the members 17 are of substantially quadratic steel profiles and are provided with welded connecting means in form of forked portions 19, whereas the segments 3 are provided with welded portions which are straddled by the portions 19, with the interengaging portions 19 and 20 each being provided with one opening in which a withdrawable wedging member 21 is receivable.

Connecting members 22 are provided which connect the members 17 at their abutting end faces in releasable relationship with one half of the members 22 being welded at one end with an enlargement 22a for better centering and guidance of the ends of the members 17 which are to be connected. After the member 22 is tightened the enlargement 22A can be filled by a member 23 in order to provide for proper centering of the adjacent ends of the members 17. I

In FIG. 2 it will be seen that the segments 3 which are initially connected by welding to form a unit, are provided with joint members 17 which extend over their entire width.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a lining systems for tunnels and like passages, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. I

Without'further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A lining system for tunnels and like passages, comprising a plurality of arcuate lining units adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of a passage, each of said units including at least two arcuate segments of profiled cross-section openingin a direction outwardly of said passage, and each of said segments having a pair of flanges which extend substantially parallel in circumferential direction of the respective unit, one of said flanges having an outwardly directed face provided with an inward recess extending in said circumferential direction and bounded in part by a substantially radial shoulder having an outer fuse, and the other of said flanges having an inwardly directed face provided with.

a bead also extending in said circumferential direction and having a substantially radial free edge face, the bead of one segment and the recess of a longitudinally adjacent segment overlying each other, and said free edge face of said bead and said outer face of said shoulder defining with one another an annular circumferential gap spacing said bead and said shoulder in axial direction; elastically yieldable sealing material lodged in at least some of said gaps for fluid-tightly sealing the junctions between the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments, said sealing material being provided prior to connection of the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments so that such segments may undergo relative movements in order to conform to the contours of said passage without loss of the fluid-tightness of said junctions; and connecting means connecting circumferentially and longitudinally adjacent ones of said segments together.

2. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said segments also has an arcuate wall connecting said flanges, and wherein the combined mass of said flanges is greater than the mass of said arcuate wall.

3. A lining system as defined in claim 1, said flanges each having in said longitudinal direction a predetermined length; and wherein such portions of said flanges as are provided with said recess and bead, respectively, have a length in said direction which corresponds to substantially half said predetermined length.

4. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein said gap is of substantially wedge-shaped configuration and extending longitudinally of said passage.

5. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two consecutive segments which are arrayed longitudinally of said passage, are welded together and form a unit prior to assembly of said lining system.

6. A lining system as defined in claim 5, wherein said two consecutive segments have adjacent flange members which define with one another a wedge-shaped gap corresponding to a curvature in the longitudinal direction of said passage; and wherein said flange members are welded to one another.

7. A lining system as defined in claim 1, said segments each having a trough-shaped depression which is open in direction outwardly of said passage; and further comprising a corrosion-resistant lining in said depression, and a body of concrete filling the depression.

8. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein segments which are adjacent one another in circumferential direction of the respective unit are provided at their adjacent ends with supporting portions sealingly supporting said adjacent segments and welded to one another and to the respective adjacent segments.

9. A lining system as defined in claim 8, said supporting portions being at least in part of four-cornered cross section having a thickness corresponding to substantially half the depth of the profile of the respective segments and extending in said longitudinal direction.

10. A lining system as defined in claim 8, wherein supporting portions of consecutive segments which are arrayed in longitudinal direction of said passage are welded to one another.

11. A lining system for tunnels and like passages,

comprising a plurality of arcuate steel lining units adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of a passage, each of said units being composed of at least two arcuate segments of substantially hat-shaped profiled cross-section opening in a direction outwardly of said passage, and each of said segments having a pair of flanges which extend substantially parallel in circumferential direction of the respective unit, one of said flanges having an outwardly directed face provided with a recess extending in said circumferential direction, and the other of said flanges having an inwardly directed face provided with a bead extending in said circumferential direction, the head of one segment being received in the recess of a longitudinally adjacent segment and defining with one another an interior hollow of substantially wedge-shaped configuration extending longitudinally of said passage, said segments being welded together along a welded seam extending between and along said bead of said one segment and said recess of said longitudinally adjacent segment at a side facing inwardly of said passage to thereby seal the junction between longitudinally adjacent segments; sealing material received in at least some of said interior hollows for fluid-tightly sealing the junctions between the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments, said sealing material being provided prior to welding of the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments so that such segments may undergo relative movements in order to conform to the contours of said passage without loss of the fluid-tightness of said junctions; and connecting means connecting circumferentially adjacent ones of said segments together. 

1. A lining system for tunnels and like passages, comprising a plurality of arcuate lining units adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of a passage, each of said units including at least two arcuate segments of profiled cross-section opening in a direction outwardly of said passage, and each of said segments having a pair of flanges which extend substantially parallel in circumferential direction of the respective unit, one of said flanges having an outwardly directed face provided with an inward recess extending in said circumferential direction and bounded in part by a substantially radial shoulder having an outer fuse, and the other of said flanges having an inwardly directed face provided with a bead also extending in said circumferential direction and having a substantially radial free edge face, the bead of one segment and the recess of a longitudinally adjacent segment overlying each other, and said free edge face of said bead and said outer face of said shoulder defining with one another an annular circumferential gap spacing said bead and said shoulder in axial direction; elastically yieldable sealing material lodged in at least some of said gaps for fluid-tightly sealing the junctions between the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments, said sealing material being provided prior to connection of the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments so that such segments may undergo relative movements in order to conform to the contours of said passage without loss of the fluid-tightness of said junctions; and connecting means connecting circumferentially and longitudinally adjacent ones of said segments together.
 2. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said segments also has an arcuate wall connecting said flanges, and wherein the combined mass of said flanges is greater than the mass of said arcuate wall.
 3. A lining system as defined in claim 1, said flanges each having in said longitudinal direction a predetermined length; and wherein such portions of said flanges as are provided with said recess and bead, respectively, have a length in said direction which corresponds to substantially half said predetermined length.
 4. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein said gap is of substantially wedge-shaped configuration and extending longitudinally of said passage.
 5. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two consecutive segments which are arrayed longitudinally of said passage, are welded together and form a unit prior to assembly of said lining system.
 6. A lining system as defined in claim 5, wherein said two consecutive segments have adjacent flange members which define with one another a wedge-shaped gap corresponding to a curvature in the longitudinal direction of said passage; and wherein said flange members are welded to one another.
 7. A lining system as defined in claim 1, said segments each having a trough-shaped depression which is open in direction outwardly of said passage; and further comprising a corrosion-resistant lining in said depression, and a body of concrete filling the depression.
 8. A lining system as defined in claim 1, wherein segments which are adjacent one another in circumferential direction of the respective unit are provided at their adjacent ends with supporting portions sealingly supporting said adjacent segments and welded to one another and to the respective adjacent segments.
 9. A lining system as defined in claim 8, said supporting portions being at least in part of four-cornered cross section having a thickness corresponding to substantially half the depth of the profile of the respective segments and extending in said longitudinal direction.
 10. A lining system as defined in claim 8, wherein supporting portions of consecutive segments which are arrayed in longitudinal directIon of said passage are welded to one another.
 11. A lining system for tunnels and like passages, comprising a plurality of arcuate steel lining units adapted to be arrayed in longitudinal direction of a passage, each of said units being composed of at least two arcuate segments of substantially hat-shaped profiled cross-section opening in a direction outwardly of said passage, and each of said segments having a pair of flanges which extend substantially parallel in circumferential direction of the respective unit, one of said flanges having an outwardly directed face provided with a recess extending in said circumferential direction, and the other of said flanges having an inwardly directed face provided with a bead extending in said circumferential direction, the bead of one segment being received in the recess of a longitudinally adjacent segment and defining with one another an interior hollow of substantially wedge-shaped configuration extending longitudinally of said passage, said segments being welded together along a welded seam extending between and along said bead of said one segment and said recess of said longitudinally adjacent segment at a side facing inwardly of said passage to thereby seal the junction between longitudinally adjacent segments; sealing material received in at least some of said interior hollows for fluid-tightly sealing the junctions between the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments, said sealing material being provided prior to welding of the corresponding longitudinally adjacent segments so that such segments may undergo relative movements in order to conform to the contours of said passage without loss of the fluid-tightness of said junctions; and connecting means connecting circumferentially adjacent ones of said segments together. 